It’s Thursday, and while that means everyone is just one day away from the weekend, it also means it’s time to throw back — to an earlier period in Food Network’s history. Check back on FN Dish every Thursday to find the latest #tbt of your favorite chefs and get a retro look at their earliest days on TV.

While Jeff Mauro is now a firmly ingrained Food Network chef, his first days on TV weren't actually as a star — instead, he was a star in the making, as he was one of 15 finalists to compete on Food Network Star, Season 7.

During the run of the competition in 2011, Jeff offered a sandwich-focused point of view in the kitchen, explaining, "You are only a couple steps away from turning any sandwich into a meal and any meal into one fantastic sandwich." His unique culinary niche, coupled with his on-camera charm and comedic timing, caught the attention of the Selection Committee, including Food Network executives Bob and Susie, and they ultimately welcomed him to the Food Network family as the first-ever Sandwich King. Jeff's premiere series, titled after his nickname, aired that summer with a mix of sandwich recipes inspired by his Italian heritage, his hometown of Chicago and some of his favorite meals.

He's gone on to host several more seasons of Sandwich King, plus a travel-based show, $24 in 24, which challenged him to spend just $24 on one day's worth of breakfast, lunch and dinner in various cities across the country, like Los Angeles, New York City and Minneapolis. In true Jeff fashion, he was able to track down hearty, budget-friendly meals on the road, including several comforting sandwiches.

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